TYPICAL MUSIC AND DANCES OF THE KICHWAS

Music

Kichwa music covers a wide range of genres and styles, from soft and melancholic melodies to joyful and festive rhythms. Many of their songs are in Quechua, the traditional language of the Kichwa, and deal with themes such as nature, daily life, spiritual beliefs and the history of their people.

The musical instruments they use vary according to region and occasion, but some of the most common include the quena, zampoña, charang, bombo, caja and otre percussion instruments.

Dances

The Kichwa culture has a rich dance tradition that reflects its history, worldview and relationship with nature. Some of the typical dances of the Kichwas include:

San Juanito: It is a happy and festive dance that is performed during the San Juan celebrations, in honor of the summer solstice. Dancers perform fast, energetic movements to the beat of music, which is often accompanied by instruments such as the guitar, flute, and bass drum.

Yumbo: Yumbo is a ceremonial dance performed to thank Pachamama (Mother Earth) for the crops and soil fertility. The dancers wear masks and colorful costumes and perform ritual movements that symbolize sowing and harvesting.

Sarawi: It is a traditional dance of the Kichwas, mainly from the Sierra region in Ecuador. It is danced in pairs and represents the courtship between a man and a woman.